The Fiji Bureau of Statistics has proposed the establishment of Divisional Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) committees designed to address the persistent issues of delays and gender disparities in birth registration across Fiji. This proposal comes as part of a nationwide review conducted with several government agencies, supported by Vital Strategies through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative.
An extensive analysis of 158,153 birth registration records collected from 2015 to 2024 revealed significant variances in processing times among different registry offices. Disturbingly, ten offices in all four divisions recorded average delays of more than 600 days for birth registrations, with iTaukei children, alongside children from single and young mothers, being most adversely affected.
The policy brief identified critical systemic problems contributing to these extensive delays, such as inadequate inter-agency coordination, the loss or late submission of Notification of Birth forms, and high transportation costs in rural and maritime areas. In some island communities, families have resorted to using unofficial documents, like baptism cards, to enroll their children in schools due to the absence of valid birth certificates.
The proposed Divisional CRVS committees aim to foster better cooperation among various agencies, streamline outreach efforts, and monitor registration performance at the divisional level. Funding for these committees will allow them to work closely with community leaders and service providers to ensure more effective and timely registration processes.
The Fiji Bureau of Statistics stresses that improved coordination and consistent investment are vital for ensuring all children in Fiji receive prompt registration, regardless of gender or geographic location. This initiative represents a significant step forward in tackling long-standing issues and affirming every child’s right to official documentation, bringing hope for a more equitable future in birth registration.